Using Clinical Assessment to Enhance Adoption Success

2017 ◽  
Vol 98 (3) ◽  
pp. 217-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn J. Murray ◽  
Kelly M. Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Family Engagement ◽  
Assessment Process ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Mental Health Clinicians ◽  
Case Conceptualization ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Adoptive Families ◽  
Trauma Informed ◽  
Current Article

There is a growing recognition that adoptive families have unique clinical needs, including the need for postadoption mental health services that are adoption competent, trauma informed, and evidence based. Although underrep-resented in the literature, the assessment process is the gateway to the provision of trauma-informed, adoption-competent services for adoptive families. Based on a thorough review of the literature and clinical experience, the current article provides several specific recommendations for social workers and other mental health clinicians in conducting assessment with adoptive families, including domains to assess; specific strategies for assessing each domain; and guidelines for using the results of the assessment for case conceptualization, treatment planning, and family engagement. Implications for practice are discussed, including recommendations for obtaining training needed for adoption competence.

The 15 Minute Case Conceptualization

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Len Sperry ◽  
Jonathan Sperry
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Premature Termination ◽  
Clinical Skills ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Case Conceptualization ◽  
Highly Effective ◽  
Case Conceptualizations ◽  
Overall Effectiveness

Once understood as useful but optional, case conceptualization is now considered essential and one of the most important of all clinical skills and competencies. As clinicians look for resources to assist in learning and mastering this competency, they must choose among different case conceptualization approaches. They would do well to give serious consideration to those that are both clinically effective and clinician friendly. A truly clinically effective approach explains and guides treatment, and most importantly, predicts challenges and obstacles that are likely to arise over the course of treatment. Most approaches emphasize the functions of explanation and guiding treatment, but seldom include third function which help anticipates likely challenges, which if not proactively addressed are likely to result in therapy interference or premature termination. This function is essential in determining the course and overall effectiveness of therapy. A truly clinician-friendly approach is one that is quick to use and easy to master, and very few approaches can make this claim. The 15 Minute Case Conceptualization is the only approach that is both highly effective and clinician friendly. Research confirms that such case conceptualizations can be completed in only 15 minutes. It is an evidence-based, step-by-step approach that therapists and other mental health professionals need and want.

The Pattern-Focused Case Conceptualization Approach

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Len Sperry ◽  
Jon Sperry
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Treatment Outcomes ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Case Conceptualization ◽  
Clinical Competencies ◽  
Psychotherapy Practice ◽  
Key Points ◽  
Behavioral Markers

In this era of accountability, therapists and other mental health professionals are expected to employ evidence-based interventions to achieve therapeutic change. Case conceptualization is an intervention that many consider one of the most essential clinical competencies. A useful case conceptualization approach, at a minimum, should explain the presenting problem and guide the planning and implementation of treatment. Approaches that are more clinically valuable will include a third function: anticipate and predict challenges in the treatment process. Analogous to the paradigm shift toward personalized treatments in precision medicine based on biomarkers is a similar shift occurring in psychotherapy practice. It will be based on behavioral markers like the ones in the pattern-focused case conceptualization approach and can explain, guide, and predict treatment challenges, as well as optimize treatment outcomes. A case example illustrates key points.

The First Ten Minutes: Clinicians' Perspectives on Engaging Adolescents in Therapy

2006 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 141-147
Author(s):  
Vanessa Keating ◽  
Elizabeth Cosgrave
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Assessment Process ◽  
Mental Health Clinicians ◽  
Initial Interview ◽  
Careful Thought

AbstractThe objective of this article is to outline factors for consideration in the successful engagement of adolescents in therapy. Adolescents face a number of barriers that can affect their ability to successfully engage with mental health clinicians (Booth, et al., 2004). Those working with this population should have a keen awareness of these barriers and their impact. As a first step, preparation for the initial interview with an adolescent is vital. Careful thought should be given to those involved in the assessment process and the manner of their involvement, giving the adolescent as much input as possible. The importance of an honest and respectful attitude should not be underestimated.

scholarly journals The role of psychiatrists in developing the skills of dementia care workers

2011 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 372-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julian Mason ◽  
Adetokunbo Adeshina
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Community Mental Health ◽  
Antipsychotic Medication ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Core Features

SummaryA recommendation of the UK's National Dementia Strategy is to develop the skills of the care workers who provide day-to-day care for people with dementia. On the basis of a systematic review of the literature, we suggest evidence-based areas in which the skills of care workers can be developed to reduce the incidence of difficult behaviour and the use of antipsychotic medication in dementia. We discuss core features of carer training, education and practice. Psychiatrists involved in the training of carers can teach new skills to carers. Psychiatrists in community mental health teams can, through leadership and clinical liaison, reinforce and enable these skills in care homes, domiciliary services and in-patient settings serving people with dementia.

Anxiety Disorders

2021 ◽  
pp. 338-344
Author(s):  
Ashley M. Nelson ◽  
Chelsea S. Rapoport ◽  
Lara Traeger ◽  
Joseph A. Greer
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Anxiety Disorders ◽  
Multidisciplinary Team ◽  
Assessment Methods ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Mental Health Clinicians ◽  
Patient Centered

The focus of this chapter is on the clinical manifestation of anxiety disorders in patients diagnosed with cancer. We review the prevalence and correlates, presenting characteristics, assessment methods and recommendations, and evidence-based pharmacologic and psychosocial treatments of anxiety in this population. Cancer-related considerations that may impact care and treatment planning are highlighted. Close collaboration between oncology and mental health clinicians as well as between the patient and their multidisciplinary team is essential for developing a patient-centered approach for managing anxiety, improving quality of life, and supporting participation in cancer care. The chapter concludes with discussion of key directions for future research on anxiety disorders in the oncology setting.

Affirmative Mental Health Practice with Bisexual Clients

2019 ◽  
pp. 149-172
Author(s):  
Andrew Young Choi ◽  
Tania Israel
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sexual Minority ◽  
Evidence Based Practice ◽  
Minority Group ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Case Conceptualization ◽  
Health Practice ◽  
Mental Health Practice ◽  
Quantitative Descriptive

Bisexuals represent the largest sexual minority group, and they experience disproportionate mental and behavioral health risks compared to monosexuals. There is a dearth of psychotherapy and intervention research focused specifically on bisexuals, although evidence-based practice for this population can draw on professional expertise, qualitative and analog research, quantitative descriptive studies, and randomized controlled trials that include bisexual participants. This chapter reviews these literatures and offers guidance for practice and future directions for research. Informed and reflective practice is recommended to develop a strong working alliance, enhance case conceptualization and collaboration, and adapt manualized treatments. Validation, social support, and attention to bisexual-specific mental health stressors may be especially important, given the pervasiveness of binegativity, bisexual stereotypes, and invisibility of bisexuality. Evidence-based practice with this population will be strengthened by future research that specifically investigates bisexuality in mental health practice.

Transgender Affirmative Cognitive–Behavioral Therapy

2019 ◽  
pp. 74-96
Author(s):  
Ashley Austin ◽  
Shelley L. Craig
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Cultural Awareness ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Gender Diversity ◽  
Cognitive Behavioral ◽  
Mental Health Clinicians ◽  
Transgender People ◽  
Empirically Supported ◽  
Trauma Informed

Although there is growing cultural awareness of transgender identities, transgender people continue to be marginalized and subject to identity-based discrimination and victimization resulting in disproportionate rates of psychological distress and particularly high rates of suicidality. Mental health clinicians can effectively support the mental health needs of transgender clients through the use of empirically supported, trans-affirmative interventions. This chapter focuses on transgender affirmative cognitive–behavioral therapy (TA-CBT), an evidence-informed intervention rooted in the unique needs and experiences of transgender individuals. TA-CBT is a version of CBT that has been adapted to ensure (1) an affirming stance toward gender diversity, (2) recognition of transgender-specific sources of stress and resilience, and (3) the delivery of CBT content within an affirming and trauma-informed framework. Clinical examples are utilized to elucidate affirmative delivery of several important components of TA-CBT: transgender affirmative case conceptualization, psychoeducation, and the development of coping skills to promote identity-affirming changes.

scholarly journals A technology-based intervention to improve safety, mental health and empowerment outcomes for immigrant women with intimate partner violence experiences: it’s weWomen plus sequential multiple assignment randomized trial (SMART) protocol

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bushra Sabri ◽  
Nancy Glass ◽  
Sarah Murray ◽  
Nancy Perrin ◽  
James R. Case ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Randomized Trial ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Immigrant Women ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Culturally Tailored ◽  
Multiple Assignment ◽  
Trauma Informed

Abstract Background Intimate partner violence (IPV) disproportionately affects immigrant women, an understudied and underserved population in need for evidence-based rigorously evaluated culturally competent interventions that can effectively address their health and safety needs. Methods This study uses a sequential, multiple assignment, randomized trial (SMART) design to rigorously evaluate an adaptive, trauma-informed, culturally tailored technology-delivered intervention tailored to the needs of immigrant women who have experienced IPV. In the first stage randomization, participants are randomly assigned to an online safety decision and planning or a usual care control arm and safety, mental health and empowerment outcomes are assessed at 3-, 6- and 12-months post-baseline. For the second stage randomization, women who do not report significant improvements in safety (i.e., reduction in IPV) and empowerment from baseline to 3 months follow up (i.e., non-responders) are re- randomized to safety and empowerment strategies delivered via text only or a combination of text and phone calls with trained advocates. Data on outcomes (safety, mental health, and empowerment) for early non-responders is assessed at 6 and 12 months post re-randomization. Discussion The study’s SMART design provides an opportunity to implement and evaluate an individualized intervention protocol for immigrant women based on their response to type or intensity of intervention. The findings will be useful for identifying what works for whom and characteristics of participants needing a particular type or intensity level of intervention for improved outcomes. If found to be effective, the study will result in an evidence-based trauma-informed culturally tailored technology-based safety decision and planning intervention for immigrant survivors of IPV that can be implemented by practitioners serving immigrant women in diverse settings. Trial registration This trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT04098276 on September 13, 2019.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document